Stent spin coating method and system

ABSTRACT

A method for removing excess coating from a stent involves simultaneously applying a coating substance to the stent, rotating the stent about a first axis of rotation, and rotating the stent about a second axis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation. An apparatus for removing excess coating from a stent includes a first system configured to rotate the stent about an axis of rotation, a fixture configured to support the stent such that a longitudinal axis of the stent is generally parallel to the axis of rotation, and a second system configured to rotate the stent about the longitudinal axis of the stent while the stent is supported by the fixture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/134,477,filed Jun. 6, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference and is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/262,161, filed Sep. 30,2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,404,979.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method for spin coating implantable medicaldevices such as stents.

2. Description of the State of the Art

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a procedure fortreating heart disease. A catheter assembly having a balloon portion isintroduced percutaneously into the cardiovascular system of a patientvia the brachial or femoral artery. The catheter assembly is advancedthrough the coronary vasculature until the balloon portion is positionedacross the occlusive lesion. Once in position across the lesion, theballoon is inflated to a predetermined size to radially compress againstthe atherosclerotic plaque of the lesion to remodel the lumen wall. Theballoon is then deflated to a smaller profile to allow the catheter tobe withdrawn from the patient's vasculature.

A problem associated with the above procedure includes formation ofintimal flaps or torn arterial linings which can collapse and occludethe conduit after the balloon is deflated. Moreover, thrombosis andrestenosis of the artery may develop over several months after theprocedure, which may require another angioplasty procedure or a surgicalby-pass operation. To reduce the partial or total occlusion of theartery by the collapse of arterial lining, and to reduce the chance ofthe development of restenosis, a stent is implanted in the lumen tomaintain the vascular patency.

Stents are used not only as a mechanical intervention but also as avehicle for providing biological therapy. As a mechanical intervention,stents act as scaffoldings, functioning to physically hold open and, ifdesired, to expand the wall of the passageway. Typically, stents arecapable of being compressed, so that they can be inserted through smallvessels via catheters, and then expanded to a larger diameter once theyare at the desired location. Examples in patent literature disclosingstents which have been applied in PTCA procedures include stentsillustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,665 issued to Palmaz, U.S. Pat. No.4,800,882 issued to Gianturco, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,062 issued toWiktor.

Biological therapy can be achieved by medicating the stents. Medicatedstents provide for the local administration of a therapeutic substanceat the diseased site. In order to provide an efficacious concentrationto the treated site, systemic administration of such medication oftenproduces adverse or toxic side effects for the patient. Local deliveryis a preferred method of treatment in that smaller total levels ofmedication are administered in comparison to systemic dosages, but areconcentrated at a specific site. Local delivery thus produces fewer sideeffects and achieves more favorable results.

One proposed method for medicating stents involves the use of apolymeric carrier coated onto the surface of a stent. A solution whichincludes a solvent, a polymer dissolved in the solvent, and atherapeutic substance dispersed in the blend is applied to the stent.The solvent is allowed to evaporate, leaving on the stent surface acoating of the polymer and the therapeutic substance impregnated in thepolymer.

One conventional technique of coating a stent is by spraying the stentwith the coating composition. If the coating solvent is sufficientlyvolatile, the spray process can spray continuously, building up coatingthickness. However, if the solvent evaporates more slowly than it isbeing applied, the resulting stent coating may have undesirableimperfections such as formation of “webbing” of the coating between thestent struts. One current solution to this problem is to spray coat in apulsed mode, interleaving brief spray blasts with forced-air drying.Spray coating processes, therefore, can be lengthy and have a greateropportunity for coating variability due to the complexity of theprocess.

Accordingly, a stent coating process that is rapid, produces a uniformcoating, and is highly reproducible is needed. The embodiments of theinvention provide an apparatus for fabricating coatings for implantabledevices, such as stents, and methods of coating the same.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of coatinga stent is provided, comprising applying a coating substance to thestent and rotating the stent about an axis of rotation, the axis ofrotation being generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thestent.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method ofcoating a stent is provided, comprising positioning a stent on a mandrelconnected to a rotating table and rotating the table about an axis ofrotation.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method ofcoating a stent, is provided comprising applying a coating to the stent,rotating the stent about a first axis of rotation, and rotating thestent about a second axis of rotation while the stent is being rotatedabout the first axis of rotation.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method ofcoating a stent is provided, comprising applying a coating substance tothe stent; rotating the stent about an axis of rotation, wherein theaxis of rotation is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of thestent, and the axis of rotation is positioned at a distance away fromthe longitudinal axis of the stent; and contemporaneously with rotatingthe stent about the axis of rotation, rotating the stent about thelongitudinal axis of the stent.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus forcoating a stent is provided comprising: a system for rotating the stentabout an axis of rotation and a fixture for supporting the stent in aposition such that a longitudinal axis of the stent is generallyperpendicular to the axis of rotation.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus forcoating a stent is provided comprising: a first system for rotating thestent about an axis of rotation; a fixture for supporting the stent in aposition such that a longitudinal axis of the stent is generallyparallel to the axis of rotation; and a second system for rotating thestent supported on the fixture about the longitudinal axis of the stent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the apparatus for coatingimplantable medical devices;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a stent during the process ofcoating using the apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Apparatus

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a coating apparatus 10. The coatingapparatus 10 includes a mandrel 14 on which a stent 12 can be securelypositioned. The mandrel 14 is mounted above a round table 16 usingmandrel arms attached to the table 16. The table 16 can be rotated abouta shaft 18 using a motor (not shown). A longitudinal axis 20 of thestent can be substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation 22 ofthe table 16. The axis of rotation 22 of table 16 can extend along thecenter of the table 16. The stent 12 can be positioned in such a waythat the axis of rotation 22 intersects the center of mass of the stent12. The mandrel 14 can be connected to a second motor (not shown) usingsuitable bearings and gears and rotated about the longitudinal axis 20.The table 16 can have a radius of between about 2 cm and about 20 cm,for example about 4 cm. The mandrel 14 is selected so as to accommodatestents of various sizes. For example, coronary stents having the lengthof between about 8 and about 38 mm, and peripheral stents having alength of about 76 mm can be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the coating apparatus. Thestent 12 is positioned offset from the axis of rotation 22. An offsetdistance 24 can be measured as the distance between the axis of rotation22 and the composite center of mass for the stent 12. The offsetdistance 24 can be within a range of between about 0.1 cm and about 20cm, for example about 15 cm. At least one counterweight 26 can bemounted on the table 16. Those having ordinary skill in the art candetermine the appropriate mass and location of the counterweight 26. Forexample, the mass of the counterweight 26 can made be equivalent to thecomposite mass of the stent 12, the mandrel 14, and the mandrel arms.The counterweight radius 28 can be made equivalent to the offsetdistance 24. The counterweight radius 28 can be measured as the distancebetween the axis 22 and the center of mass of the counterweight 26.

As best illustrated by FIG. 2, although the stent 12 is in an offsetposition, the longitudinal axis of the stent 20 intersects the axis ofrotation 22 at about a 90 degree angle. The longitudinal axis 20 of thestent 12 need not intersect the axis of rotation 22. The axis ofrotation 22 remains perpendicular to a plane parallel to the surface ofthe table 16 and extending along the longitudinal axis 20 of the stent12.

In yet another embodiment, as illustrated by FIG. 3, the longitudinalaxis 20 of the stent 12 is parallel to the rotational axis 22. Themandrel 14 can be also optionally offset from the axis of rotation 22.If the stent 12 is positioned at the offset distance 24 away from theaxis of rotation 22, the counterweight 26 should be used to balance thesystem. The mandrel 14 can also be rotated about the longitudinal axis20 by a motor.

In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis 20 of the stent 12 can benon-parallel to the rotational axis 22. In some embodiments, thelongitudinal axis 20 can be not parallel as well as not perpendicular,such that it is positioned at an angle to axis 22. The angle between 20and 22 can be for example 60, 45, or 30 degrees.

II. Method

A coating system can be applied to the stent 12 by any suitable methodknown to those having ordinary skill in the art, such as, for example,by spraying, dip-coating, brushing or wiping. Preferably it is byspraying. The coating system can be applied before the stent 12 has beenmounted onto the apparatus 10. Alternatively, the stent 12 can be coatedafter being mounted onto the apparatus 10. The coating can be appliedbefore the rotation of the stent 12 on the table 16 and along the axis20 of the stent 12 such that the application of the coating (e.g., byspray) is completely terminated before the rotation of the stent 12along one or both axis. A coating composition or substance is sprayedand the spraying is terminated. This is followed by rotation of thestent 12 about one or more of the described axis. Rotation about twoaxes can be contemporaneous or sequential.

In one embodiment, the stent 12 is rotated during the application of thecoating composition. A coating composition or substance is sprayedcontemporaneously/during the rotation of the stent 12 about one or moreof the described axis. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the stent 12 issprayed with the coating composition (e.g., polymer, solvent and/ordrug) while the table 16 and stent 12, along axis 20, are rotatedconcomitantly or, alternatively, while the table 16 and stent 12 arerotated in sequence. In some embodiments, during the applicationprocess, only the table 16 is rotated or only the stent 12, along axis20, is rotated while the other remains stationary.

The thickness of the wet coating system before drying can be betweenabout 5 and 500 micrometers, for example, 450 micrometers.

“Coating system” can be defined as a liquid composition which includes apolymeric material. Optionally, the coating system can also contain atherapeutic substance, an agent or a drug. The polymeric material can bedissolved in a solvent. The polymeric material can also form a colloidsystem, e.g., by being emulsified in a carrier such as water. Thecolloid system can contain between about 2 mass % and about 25 mass % ofthe polymeric material.

Using a motor, the table 16 can then be rotated about the axis 22. Thespeed of rotation of the table 16 can be between about 300 revolutionsper minute (rpm) and about 10,000 rpm, for example, about 4,000 rpm. Thestent 12 can also be optionally rotated about the longitudinal axis 20at a stent speed. The stent speed can be between about 100 rpm and about5,000 rpm, for example, about 1,000 rpm.

When the table 16 is rotated, the wet coating system on the stent 12flows along the surface of the stent 12 and the excess wet coating 30 isdischarged by the centrifugal force (FIG. 4), until a desired coatingthickness is reached. Typically all of the solvent or colloid systemcarrier present in the wet coating system can be evaporated, and onlytrace amounts of the solvent or carrier may remain. As a result, anessentially dry coating is solidified on the stent. The remainder of thesolvent or the carrier can be subsequently removed by drying the coatingat an elevated temperature. The drying can be conducted under a vacuumcondition.

The desired thickness of the resulting coating can be estimatedaccording to the equation (I).

T=V _(p)(3μ/4ρω² t)^(1/2)  (I),

-   -   where T is the coating thickness;    -   V_(p) is the volume fraction of polymer in the coating;    -   μ is the viscosity of the coating;    -   ρ is the density of the coating;    -   ω is the angular velocity of rotation of the table 16; and    -   t is the time for which the table 16 is rotated.

Accordingly, to reach the desired thickness of the dry coating, thosehaving ordinary skill in the art can first formulate the desired wetcoating system. The wet coating system will have fixed values of V_(p),μ, and ρ. Then, ω and t can be selected, depending on what value of T isdesired.

The value of thickness T estimated according to the equation (I) is onlyapproximate, because equation (I) presumes the stent as a smoothcylinder and does not take into account variables such as solventevaporation, gravitational effects, or rotation of the stent 12 aboutthe longitudinal axis 20. For example, rotating the stent 12 about theaxis 20 can increase the rate of airflow around the stent 12, therebyincreasing the evaporation rate of the solvent which, in turn, speedssolidification of the coating. Therefore, the value of thickness thatcan be achieved in the same time period can be higher than the valuecalculated according to the equation (I).

Representative examples of polymers that can be used in the coatingsystem include poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVAL),poly(hydroxyvalerate), poly(L-lactic acid), polycaprolactone,poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(hydroxybutyrate),poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate), polydioxanone, polyorthoester,polyanhydride, poly(glycolic acid), poly(D,L-lactic acid), poly(glycolicacid-co-trimethylene carbonate), polyphosphoester, polyphosphoesterurethane, poly(amino acids), polyacetals, cyanoacrylates,poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(iminocarbonate),co-poly(ether-esters) (e.g. PEO/PLA), polyalkylene oxalates,polyphosphazenes, biomolecules (such as fibrin, fibrinogen, cellulose,starch, collagen and hyaluronic acid), polyurethanes (such as CORETHANEavailable from Pfizer Corp. of New York or ELASTEON available fromAorTech Biomaterials Co. of Chatswood, Australia), silicones,polyesters, polyolefins, polyisobutylene and ethylene-alphaolefincopolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers (such as poly(butylmethacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate) or poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)), vinyl halide polymers and copolymers (such as polyvinylchloride), polyvinyl ethers other than polyacetals, polyvinylidenehalides (such as polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene chloride),polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics (such aspolystyrene), polyvinyl esters (such as polyvinyl acetate,acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymers), polyamides (such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactam), alkydresins, polycarbonates, polyoxymethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, epoxyresins, polyurethanes, rayon, rayon-triacetate, cellulose, celluloseacetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane,cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, andcarboxymethyl cellulose.

Examples of suitable solvents include, but are not limited to,dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), chloroform, acetone, water (buffered saline),xylene, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, tetrahydrofuran, 1-butanone,dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, cyclohexanone, ethyl acetate,methylethylketone, propylene glycol monomethylether, isopropanol,isopropanol admixed with water, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, toluene, andcombinations thereof.

The drug can include any substance capable of exerting a therapeutic orprophylactic effect for a patient. The drug may include small moleculedrugs, peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and the like. The drugcould be designed, for example, to inhibit the activity of vascularsmooth muscle cells. It can be directed at inhibiting abnormal orinappropriate migration and/or proliferation of smooth muscle cells toinhibit restenosis.

Examples of drugs include antiproliferative substances such asactinomycin D, or derivatives and analogs thereof (manufactured bySigma-Aldrich of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, or COSMEGEN available fromMerck). Synonyms of actinomycin D include dactinomycin, actinomycin IV,actinomycin I₁, actinomycin X₁, and actinomycin C₁. The active agent canalso fall under the genus of antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory,antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antifibrin, antithrombin, antimitotic,antibiotic, antiallergic and antioxidant substances. Examples of suchantineoplastics and/or antimitotics include paclitaxel (e.g. TAXOL® byBristol-Myers Squibb Co., Stamford, Conn.), docetaxel (e.g. Taxotere®,from Aventis S.A., Frankfurt, Germany) methotrexate, azathioprine,vincristine, vinblastine, fluorouracil, doxorubicin hydrochloride (e.g.Adriamycin® from Pharmacia & Upjohn, Peapack N.J.), and mitomycin (e.g.Mutamycin® from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Stamford, Conn.). Examples ofsuch antiplatelets, anticoagulants, antifibrin, and antithrombinsinclude sodium heparin, low molecular weight heparins, heparinoids,hirudin, argatroban, forskolin, vapiprost, prostacyclin and prostacyclinanalogues, dextran, D-phe-pro-arg-chloromethylketone (syntheticantithrombin), dipyridamole, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet membranereceptor antagonist antibody, recombinant hirudin, and thrombininhibitors such as Angiomax™ (Biogen, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.). Examplesof such cytostatic or antiproliferative agents include angiopeptin,angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as captopril (e.g.Capoten® and Capozide® from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Stamford, Conn.),cilazapril or lisinopril (e.g. Prinivil® and Prinzide® from Merck & Co.,Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J.); calcium channel blockers (such asnifedipine), colchicine, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) antagonists,fish oil (omega 3-fatty acid), histamine antagonists, lovastatin (aninhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, a cholesterol lowering drug, brand nameMevacor® from Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J.), monoclonalantibodies (such as those specific for Platelet-Derived Growth Factor(PDGF) receptors), nitroprusside, phosphodiesterase inhibitors,prostaglandin inhibitors, suramin, serotonin blockers, steroids,thioprotease inhibitors, triazolopyrimidine (a PDGF antagonist), andnitric oxide. An example of an antiallergic agent is permirolastpotassium. Other therapeutic substances or agents which may beappropriate include alpha-interferon, genetically engineered epithelialcells, tacrolimus, dexamethasone, and rapamycin and structuralderivatives or functional analogs thereof, such as40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (known by the trade name of EVEROLIMUSavailable from Novartis), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin,40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin.

The apparatus and method of the present invention have been described inconjunction with a stent. However, the apparatus and method can also beused with a variety of other medical devices. Examples of theimplantable medical device, that can be used in conjunction with theembodiments of this invention include stent-grafts and grafts. Theunderlying structure or scaffolding design of the device can be ofvirtually any design. The device can be made of a metallic material oran alloy such as, but not limited to, cobalt-chromium alloys (e.g.,ELGILOY), stainless steel (316L), “MP35N,” “MP20N,” ELASTINITE(Nitinol), tantalum, tantalum-based alloys, nickel-titanium alloy,platinum, platinum-based alloys such as, e.g., platinum-iridium alloy,iridium, gold, magnesium, titanium, titanium-based alloys,zirconium-based alloys, or combinations thereof. Devices made frombioabsorbable or biostable polymers can also be used with theembodiments of the present invention.

“MP35N” and “MP20N” are trade names for alloys of cobalt, nickel,chromium and molybdenum available from Standard Press Steel Co. ofJenkintown, Pa. “MP35N” consists of 35% cobalt, 35% nickel, 20%chromium, and 10% molybdenum. “MP20N” consists of 50% cobalt, 20%nickel, 20% chromium, and 10% molybdenum.

Some embodiments of the present invention can be further illustrated bythe following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

A 13 mm PENTA stent (available from Guidant Corp.) can be placed on amandrel and the mandrel can be mounted onto a coating apparatus as shownby FIG. 1.

A first composition can be prepared, comprising:

-   -   (a) about 4 mass % of EVAL; and    -   (b) the balance, a solvent blend, the blend comprising about 80        mass % of dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and about 20 mass % of        pentane.

With the table stationary, the EVAL composition can be applied in adrop-wise manner to the stent to form a primer layer. A sufficientamount of the EVAL solution can be added to ensure the entire stent iswetted. Immediately after application of the EVAL composition, the tablecan be accelerated to a speed of about 8,000 rpm at a ramp rate of about8,000 rpm/s (about 133.3 r/s²). The term “ramp rate” is defined as theacceleration rate of the spinner. The ramp rate of 8,000 rpm/s meansthat in 1 second the spinner would accelerate to 8,000 rpm from astandstill.

The table speed of about 8,000 rpm can be held for about 8 seconds andthen the table can be decelerated at a ramp rate of about 4,000 rpm/suntil the table comes to a complete stop. This means that the tablespeed is reduced from about 8,000 rpm to 0 within about 2 seconds.Residual solvent can be removed by baking the stent at about 140° C. forabout 1 hour.

Next, the stent can be reinstalled in the same spinning apparatus. Asecond composition can be prepared, comprising:

-   -   (c) about 6 mass % of poly(butyl methacrylate);    -   (d) about 3 mass % of 17-β-estradiol; and    -   (e) the balance, a solvent blend, the blend comprising about 60        mass % of acetone and about 40 mass % of xylene.

With the table stationary, the second composition can be applied in adrop-wise manner to the stent to form a drug-polymer layer. Applicationof the drug in a drop-wise manner mitigates the safety requirements thatare needed as compared to the precautions that are taken during thehandling of atomized pharmaceuticals. A sufficient amount of the secondsolution can be added to ensure the entire stent is wetted. Immediatelyafter the second composition has been applied, the table can beaccelerated at a rate of about 4,000 rpm/s to a speed of about 4,000rpm, held for about 9 seconds, and then decelerated at a rate of about4,000 rpm/s until the table comes to a complete stop. The stent can bebaked at about 80° C. for about 30 minutes to remove residual solvent.

EXAMPLE 2

A 13 mm PENTA stent can be mounted on a mandrel and the mandrel can bemounted onto an apparatus as shown in FIG. 2. The mandrel can be mountedin such a way that the mandrel is free spinning For example, the mandrelcan be attached to the arms using bearings located on the arms. As thetable turns, the mandrel spins due to greater air friction on the topsurfaces of the stent than the bottom surfaces. The offset distance canbe about 50 mm, and the counterweight can weigh between about 10 gramsand about 100 grams, for example, about 32 grams.

A first composition can be prepared, comprising:

-   -   (a) about 4 mass % of poly(butyl methacrylate); and    -   (b) the balance, a solvent blend, the blend comprising about 60        mass % of acetone and about 40 mass % of xylene.

With the table stationary, the first composition can be applied in adrop-wise manner to the stent for forming a primer layer. A sufficientamount of the poly(butyl methacrylate) solution can be added to ensurethe entire stent is wetted. Immediately after application of the firstcomposition, the stent can be accelerated to a speed of about 4,000 rpmat a ramp rate of about 8,000 rpm/s. The 4,000 rpm speed can be held forabout 8 seconds and then decelerated at a rate of about 4,000 rpm/s.Residual solvent can be removed by baking the stent at about 80° C. forabout 1 hour.

Next, the stent can be reinstalled in the same spinning apparatus. Asecond composition can be prepared, comprising:

-   -   (c) about 2 mass % of poly(butyl methacrylate);    -   (d) about 1.6 mass % of EVEROLIMUS; and    -   (e) the balance, a solvent blend, the blend comprising about 60        mass % of acetone and about 40 mass % of xylene.

With the table stationary, the second composition can be applied in adrop-wise manner to the stent to form a drug-polymer layer. A sufficientamount of the second solution can be added to ensure the entire stent iswetted. Immediately after the second composition has been applied, thetable can be accelerated at a rate of about 2,000 rpm/s to a speed ofabout 4,000 rpm, held for about 9 seconds, and then decelerated at arate of about 4,000 rpm/s until the table comes to a complete stop. Thestent can be baked at about 80° C. for about 30 minutes to removeresidual solvent.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications can be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for removing excess coating from astent, the method comprising conducting the following acts at the sametime: applying a coating substance to the stent; rotating the stentabout a first axis of rotation; and rotating the stent about a secondaxis of rotation parallel to the first axis of rotation.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the second axis of rotation is along a longitudinalcentral axis of the stent.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the stentforms includes a cylindrical structure, and the longitudinal centralaxis of the stent extends through opposite ends of the cylindricalstructure.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the stent is rotated aboutthe first axis of rotation at a rate between about 300 rpm and about10,000 rpm.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the stent is rotated aboutthe second axis of rotation at a rate between about 100 rpm and about5,000 rpm.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stent includes acylindrical structure, and the second axis of rotation extends throughopposite ends of the cylindrical structure.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the stent is positioned off-set, at a distance away from thefirst axis of rotation.
 8. A method for removing excess coating from astent, the method comprising: applying a coating substance to the stent;rotating the stent about an axis of rotation to remove an amount of theapplied coating substance from the stent, wherein the axis of rotationis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent, and the axisof rotation is positioned at a distance away from the longitudinal axisof the stent; and contemporaneously with the rotating of the stent aboutthe axis of rotation, rotating the stent about the longitudinal axis ofthe stent.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the stent includes acylindrical structure, and the longitudinal axis of the stent extendsthrough opposite ends of the cylindrical structure.
 10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the applying of the coating substance, the rotatingabout the axis of rotation, and the rotating about the longitudinal axisare performed contemporaneously.
 11. An apparatus for removing excesscoating from a stent, the apparatus comprising: a first systemconfigured to rotate the stent about an axis of rotation; a fixtureconfigured to support the stent such that a longitudinal axis of thestent is generally parallel to the axis of rotation; and a second systemconfigured to rotate the stent about the longitudinal axis of the stentwhile the stent is supported by the fixture.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the stent includes a cylindrical structure, and thelongitudinal axis of the stent extends through opposite ends of thecylindrical structure.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thefixture is configured to support opposite ends of the stent.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising a system configured to apply acoating to the stent.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the systemconfigured to apply the coating to the stent is configured to apply thecoating to the stent while the stent is supported on the fixture. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the system configured to apply thecoating to the stent is configured to apply the coating to the stentwhile the stent is being rotated by the first system.
 17. The apparatusof claim 16, wherein the system configured to apply the coating to thestent is configured to apply the coating to the stent while the stent isbeing rotated by the first system and the second system.